2016 HD SGS Newbie Needing Audio Setup Advice
I have read just about every audio post on here and still can't quite get what I'm looking for; I've read so many I've confused myself, lol. I have a 2016 HD Street Glide Special and I'm looking to upgrade my sounds. I'm only looking to replace fairing speakers; no lowers or lids will be placed on, just the fairing. I was hoping I could get help with the best setup for my price range of around $500. I would like to be able to have a clean/clear sound going over 80+ mph; Nevada has crazy winds so at times when winds are high I can't hear a thing coming out of my current setup.
I'm looking to do as much plug and play as possible; I have done some changes on my bike myself so I'm not afraid of hard work but not sure if "splicing" is up my knowledge range. Also, with most plug and plays I see that there is some kind of tray that the amp mounts to that mounts inside the fairing, so stating additional hardware I would need would be appreciated as well.
Questions...
With any options below would a Magic Box be needed (Not sure but from what I read it sounds like this is just for adding additional speakers other than fairings; not sure)
If only replacing fairing speakers do I have to take to Harley and have them FLASH it?
What I've been looking at and prices...
$125.00 - Cerwin-Vega B52 Stealth Bomber Class D Amp (b52, 2 Channels, 1,000W)
OR
$179.00 - Cerwin-Vega B54 Stealth Bomber Class D Amp (b54, 4 Channels, 1,200W)
$150.00 - Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 Punch BRT 300-Watt Ultra Compact 4-Channel Amp
Please chime in if other products will be better than what I have listed above; I'm open for suggestions, thanks much.
Last edited by PC Novice; Mar 14, 2017 at 04:01 PM. Reason: No Responses
I have read just about every audio post on here and still can't quite get what I'm looking for; I've read so many I've confused myself, lol. I have a 2016 HD Street Glide Special and I'm looking to upgrade my sounds. I'm only looking to replace fairing speakers; no lowers or lids will be placed on, just the fairing. I was hoping I could get help with the best setup for my price range of around $500. I would like to be able to have a clean/clear sound going over 80+ mph; Nevada has crazy winds so at times when winds are high I can't hear a thing coming out of my current setup.
I'm looking to do as much plug and play as possible; I have done some changes on my bike myself so I'm not afraid of hard work but not sure if "splicing" is up my knowledge range. Also, with most plug and plays I see that there is some kind of tray that the amp mounts to that mounts inside the fairing, so stating additional hardware I would need would be appreciated as well.
Questions...
With any options below would a Magic Box be needed (Not sure but from what I read it sounds like this is just for adding additional speakers other than fairings; not sure)
If only replacing fairing speakers do I have to take to Harley and have them FLASH it?
What I've been looking at and prices...
$125.00 - Cerwin-Vega B52 Stealth Bomber Class D Amp (b52, 2 Channels, 1,000W)
OR
$179.00 - Cerwin-Vega B54 Stealth Bomber Class D Amp (b54, 4 Channels, 1,200W)
$150.00 - Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 Punch BRT 300-Watt Ultra Compact 4-Channel Amp
Please chime in if other products will be better than what I have listed above; I'm open for suggestions, thanks much.
1.) 4 channels: Yes, even if you only run upper fairing speakers they are the most important and need plenty of power so you'll need to be able to bridge the 4 channel amp and give them the juice that they need. Those Kappa are extremely underrated and can take serious juice. The Kappa's are not a particularly warm speaker but give em the juice and they get loud!
2.) Dealer flash: No, since Harley has crippled the dealers ability to use flashes to flatten out their bass heavy DSP curve the only purpose they serve is to enable fading ability. You will however need a Biketronics Line leveler. They are used now to level the dsp curve instead of the magic box so add that to your shopping list.
3.) Amp tray: Most but not all amps will mount above your radio with industrial Velcro and zip ties
4.) Amp choice: Is FM reception important to you? That will factor into your amp choice.
-FW
I have read just about every audio post on here and still can't quite get what I'm looking for; I've read so many I've confused myself, lol. I have a 2016 HD Street Glide Special and I'm looking to upgrade my sounds. I'm only looking to replace fairing speakers; no lowers or lids will be placed on, just the fairing. I was hoping I could get help with the best setup for my price range of around $500. I would like to be able to have a clean/clear sound going over 80+ mph; Nevada has crazy winds so at times when winds are high I can't hear a thing coming out of my current setup.
I'm looking to do as much plug and play as possible; I have done some changes on my bike myself so I'm not afraid of hard work but not sure if "splicing" is up my knowledge range. Also, with most plug and plays I see that there is some kind of tray that the amp mounts to that mounts inside the fairing, so stating additional hardware I would need would be appreciated as well.
Questions...
With any options below would a Magic Box be needed (Not sure but from what I read it sounds like this is just for adding additional speakers other than fairings; not sure)
If only replacing fairing speakers do I have to take to Harley and have them FLASH it?
What I've been looking at and prices...
$125.00 - Cerwin-Vega B52 Stealth Bomber Class D Amp (b52, 2 Channels, 1,000W)
OR
$179.00 - Cerwin-Vega B54 Stealth Bomber Class D Amp (b54, 4 Channels, 1,200W)
$150.00 - Rockford Fosgate PBR300X4 Punch BRT 300-Watt Ultra Compact 4-Channel Amp
Please chime in if other products will be better than what I have listed above; I'm open for suggestions, thanks much.
Last edited by legoiii; Mar 15, 2017 at 06:06 AM.
-FW
Ann please disregard this part of this guy's post because it's as wrong as wrong can be.
The Infinities will take some work to be able to use them in the stock speaker pods. They have to be mounted inside the pods instead of on the outside like the stock speakers.
As T mentioned you'll need the BT355 to tame the EQ curve. Forget about the Blackbox.
Give us a budget and let's see what we can come up with to get you on the right track.
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CycleSounds are the makers of the Black Box and are going out of business, you may or may not be able to get one from them anymore. A better option, as it's a better product, is the Biketronics BT355 Line Leveler. The purpose of this device is to flatten the outgoing bass boost from the stock Rushmore head unit (approximately 24db bass boost programmed in to make the stock speakers sound good). You can also step up to a DSP of some sort but those are expensive options.
Kappa's, B52, and Line Levelers are a good entry level setup. You will be able to hear this at speed but you won't be satisfied with the low end response from these. It's not bad, it's just not there. I believe CVOJoe is testing some entry level speakers and getting good results. This was my first setup and started me on my audio voyage, probably should have stopped there...
It all depends what you're looking for and how much you want to spend, simple as that
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Ann please disregard this part of this guy's post because it's as wrong as wrong can be.
The Infinities will take some work to be able to use them in the stock speaker pods. They have to be mounted inside the pods instead of on the outside like the stock speakers.
As T mentioned you'll need the BT355 to tame the EQ curve. Forget about the Blackbox.
Give us a budget and let's see what we can come up with to get you on the right track.
My budget is $650 tops. I know this may be a little small but that's what I feel comfortable with. I see plug and play systems that I can get for $900 but that's more than I'm willing to spend; I just would like a little more oomph than what I have. I never plan to add bag speakers, leg speakers, or any other speakers, a little more clarity and volume is what I'm hoping my budget can get me.
Thanks all for the help :-)






